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  1. Victorian State of Emergency Extended: Changes to COVID-19 Restrictions
  2. Victorian Government: Victorian Business Growth Fund 
  3. ATO: $150,000 Instant Asset Write Off 
  4. Brimbank.Localised Networking Webinar
  5. Upcoming Webinars
  6. Victorian Small Business Commission: Translated Resources for Tenants and Landlords
Over the weekend, the State of Emergency in Victoria was extended for another four weeks to continue to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and keep Victorians safe.  There are important updates about which of the current restrictions remain in place and which have been deferred to 12 July, 2020:
  • Restaurants, pubs and auction halls will stay at a maximum of 20 people in any one space until 12 July.
  • Businesses that were set to open on Monday like gyms, cinemas and theatres can do so – but again, only with a maximum of 20 people.
  • Ski season and accommodation facilities with communal spaces will also open, but with increased screening and safeguards in place.
  • Those who can work from home must continue to do so until at least 31 July. If you do have people on the job, take a zero-tolerance approach to sickness. If someone has symptoms, send them home and ask them to get tested.
  • Guidelines for the hospitality, beauty and tourism industries are available on our website, with further updates to restrictions available in due course.
For more information click here 
The $250 million Victorian Business Growth Fund (VBGF) is now open to support long‑term growth opportunities for business and boost employment and economic development across the State.

The Fund will operate for 10 years and will help address barriers faced by successful small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that are ready to grow their business but can't access the funds or find the right partner they need to take the next step. The Fund will back permanent, high skilled jobs in priority areas of the economy, jobs that improve workforce diversity, jobs for people that have been unemployed or have a harder time gaining employment, and jobs for people trying to reskill and undertaking apprenticeships.

For more information click here
If you've purchased assets for your business, you may be eligible to claim an immediate deduction under the instant asset write-off expansion.  From 12 March to 30 June 2020 (inclusive), the instant asset write-off threshold for each asset increased to $150,000 (from $30,000): 


Looking for a new way to network and increase your business reach?  Join us for the next Brimbank.Localised meetup on Friday 3 July. It’s a great way to learn more about Brimbank.Localised, network with a range of businesses in Brimbank and hear from a guest speaker. This business focused event is an easy and effective way to introduce yourself, your business and your expertise with a lightening pitch (only 20 seconds!).

Meetup Speaker Spot:  Are you wanting to increase turnover, find some more customers but have less dollars to do it with at the moment?  Then the July Brimbank.Localised Meetup is for you! Learn from Marketing Sherpa, Ailsa Page from AP Marketing Works, who shares the science of successful marketing on a shoestring. Discover some great marketing ideas for your business that you can afford and can implement immediately!

Brimbank.Localised - it’s more than business to business – it’s business to people, people to business – it’s a business community – it’s letting people know where there is local expertise, local services and local opportunity.
 
Find out more about Brimbank.Localised and upload your business profile here

Brimbank.Localised - Meetup
Invite your team, colleagues and friends to join. Practice your lightning pitch and get ready to network online with other business owners in this business-focused networking webinar.
 
Date: Friday 3 July 2020
Time: 9.30-10.30am
Circling Back to Cybersecurity: What you may have missed in the rush to get remote work ready and how to fix it!   (AusIndustry)
Wednesday 24 June,  11:30am - 12:30pm - Register here       

Surviving in a Digital Environment: Keeping your Business Connected (VCCI)
Thursday 25 June, 11-11.45am - Register here

DIY Public Relations for Entrepreneurs: Thursday 25 June 2020, 9.30-11.30am (iHarvest)
In this session you will learn about; the inverted pyramid, news values, how to target media, pitching and possible story angles - register here

Phishing for love, masks and money in the time of COVID-19:  A look at the new threats coming your business’ way right now and how to spot them. (AusIndustry)
Wednesday 8 July from 11:30am - 12:30pm - Register here 

Managing the Demands of Running a Business: Wednesday 22 July 2020, 9.30-11.00am (iHarvest)
This webinar will provide simple principles to apply daily in your business to increase productivity, profitability and reduce stress and overwhelm - register here
The Victorian Government's Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme (the Scheme) aims to alleviate financial hardship faced by tenants and landlords as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19). The VSBC have leasing advice and scenarios for tenants and landlords in English, simplified Chinese, Arabic and Vietnamese:
 If you would like to discuss your commercial tenancy situation please email the Victorian Small Business Commission at enquiries@vsbc.vic.gov.au or call 13 8722.
The Get Back on Your Feet program will equip you with the tools to build resilience so that you can navigate a new way of doing business and life.

 After major disruption to our business and personal life, we need to define a new way of living and working. This 4-week program is run by Melanie White, a personal and business coach who specialises in helping people change, and cope with change.

With a focus on Positive Psychology the program provides the tools, support and accountability you need to get back on your feet by regrouping, redefining normal, becoming more resourceful and making rational decisions and plans.

The program will be delivered over 4 weeks and topics include:

Week 1, 16 July 2020: Regroup
Regaining composure and prioritising self-care. We’ll focus on these foundational pillars of resilience by reflecting on lessons learned through the chaos and create routines that will bolster health and wellbeing e.g. reducing overwhelm, creating positivity.

Week 2, 23 July 2020: Redefining Normal
Redefine personal and business visions and identify opportunities, drawing on strengths and lessons.

Week 3, 30 July 2020: Resourcefulness
Improve your capacity to step into your business (and life) through connection, collaboration, support and/or resources you need to get back on your feet and back into business.

Week 4, 6 August 2020: Rational decisions and plans
Focus on making rational decisions and creating innovative plans and lifestyle goals as you navigate a new way of living and working.  

Participants who complete the 4 week program will receive a 60 minute coaching session with a health and wellness coach.

Register here 


Celebrating the pride and potential of our city, nominations for the 2020 ‘We Are Brimbank Awards’ are now open!

The We Are Brimbank Awards celebrate the pride and potential of our city, and recognise the exceptional contributions, hard work and determination of organisations, businesses and groups making a positive difference in Brimbank. Council is looking for nominations across the following award categories:
  • Culture, Arts & Tourism Award - Demonstrated outstanding contribution to the rich cultural, heritage, tourism and artistic fabric of the Brimbank community.
  • Environment & Sustainability Award - Demonstrated outstanding contribution to the protection, enhancement and awareness of Brimbank’s natural and urban environment.
  • Employment & Enterprise Award - Demonstrated outstanding contribution to the prosperity of Brimbank.
  • Inclusive Brimbank Award - Demonstrated outstanding contribution to promoting participation in community life and supporting proud, safe and healthy citizens.
  • Learning Excellence Award - Demonstrated outstanding contribution to the ongoing education, learning and engagement of the Brimbank community.
Visit We Are Brimbank Awards for more information and to nominate an organisation, business or group in Brimbank. Applications close Wednesday 15 July 2020. 
The Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) is Australia’s national tourism database and distribution platform representing over 90,000 small and medium sized tourism products and destinations. 

To support Australian Tourism Operators with digital marketing to extend their exposure and attract more business online, ATDW is offering free listings for a limited time.  
  • If you are an existing subscriber, your listing will automatically extend by 12 months.
  • New businesses or businesses with an expired ATDW listing can claim a 12-month listing free of charge for a limited time.
Tourism operators in Brimbank are encouraged to list their business on the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) site to increase your online exposure over multiple sites.  

Wondering if you can list your business? Check out the listing categories on the ATDW Product Listing page.

Need help creating, updating and optimising your ATDW listing? Visit Victoria is hosting a free, online training session. For more information and to register, click here

The Think. Shop. Buy Local Alpaca map aims to make it even easier for locals to find out who is open, and to support and stay connected to their local business community. 

All businesses in Brimbank are welcome to have their business listed on the Think. Shop. Buy Local map - and if you're offering take-away, delivery, online shopping, online fitness classes or virtual services during COVID-19 it's even more important to let locals know.

Explore the Think. Shop. Buy Local map

Find out more about the Think. Shop. Buy Local program, and if you’d like to have your business listed, contact the Economic Development Team.
Have you responded to the Business Impact Survey?  
 
We'd really like to hear from you to gain an understanding of how COVID-19 (coronavirus) is impacting your business. Your input will be used to inform action and advocacy for assistance, and inform government on short and long-term recovery priorities. This survey is mainly multiple choice and will take approximately 5 minutes to complete. 
 
Complete the Business Impact Survey here 
Council’s Business Support and Assistance website page provides information, support and resources for businesses affected by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis. Find out about:  
  • Brimbank Business e-Bulletins (previous editions)
  • Council's Business Support
  • Victorian Government Business 
  • Victorian Government Economic Survival Package
  • Australian Government Business 
  • Australian Government Stimulus Package - Business 
  • Australian Government - JobKeeper Payment for Employers and Employees
  • AusIndustry Contact Centre 
  • Australian Taxation Officer (ATO)
  • Victorian Chamber of Commerce Industry (VCCI)
  • Working for Victoria Fund - Support for Displaced Workers
  • Small Business Mentoring Service (SMBS)
  • Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
For more information and contact details for the Economic Development team, click here    
DIY Public Relations for Entrepreneurs - register here       
Managing the demands of running a Business - register here
Get Back on Your Feet: How to Regroup and Build  Resilience - register here

Getting Social
Getting Social #1: Start up Smart and Strategic - register here  
Getting Social #2: Making the most of Instagram & Facebook - register here
Getting Social #3: Facebook Advertising Essentials - register here
Getting Social #4: Creating great content - register here
Getting Social #5: Getting Stuff Done! - register here

Small Business Bus 
St Albans IGA Carpark:  Monday 27 July 2020 - Register here
Keilor Village, Kennedy St: Thursday 30 July 2020 - Register here

Small Business Victoria
A series of webinars to improve chances of business success - for further information click here  

Upskill My Business (Business Victoria)
Develop your business skills and strenghten your business - for further information click here   

ATO: Support for Small Business Webinar
A wide range of interactive online webinar seminars presented by experienced tax officers, you can ask questions to help you apply the information to your situation - register here

Australian Small Business Advisory Servies (ASBAS) 
ASBAS is delivering FREE online workshops and Business Resilience programs for Victorian businesses: 

Online Workshops  - Register here
Business Resilience Program - Register here
Business Resilience Mentoring - Register here
Business Resilience Workshops - Register here


Are you a local business looking for new staff and want to employ local?

There's no cost to join the Joblink community or to post your employment opportunities. You’ll also receive promotion for your business on the JobLink Facebook Page.

Check out Brimbank Joblink for more information and be sure to LIKE us on Facebook. 

Copyright © Brimbank City Council, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
PO Box 70, Sunshine 3020

For further information about this newsletter please contact the Economic Development Unit on 9249 4000 or email ecodev@brimbank.vic.gov.au

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